During his time at the club he won eight La Liga titles and lifted four Champions League trophies and also played a crucial role in Spain's three successive major tournament wins at Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012.

In recent years he has moved into management with Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd, where he finished his playing career.

Barcelona have already shown an interest in their former midfielder, reportedly approaching Xavi for the job before Ernesto Valverde was sacked in January, but the Spaniard did not think it was the right time.

On that decision, he added: "I have no problem: I won't hide, and I won't take it back.

"I would like to work with people I trust, with very valid people there is mutual loyalty.

Outlining what he would want to see in his Barcelona team, Xavi labelled several of their current side - including Lionel Messi, defender Gerard Pique and goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen - the best in the world in their respective positions and midfielders Frenkie De Jong and Arthur as players to "win for 10 more years".

Addressing the wide positions, he evoked the possible return of Neymar or a move for Borussia Dortmund and England's Jadon Sancho or fellow Bundesliga star Serge Gnabry of Bayern Munich.

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"I would sign wingers, like Neymar - I don't know if he would fit in due to the social issue, but football-wise I have no doubts it would be a spectacular signing," he said of the Brazil star who played for the club from 2013 to 2017 before joining Paris Saint-Germain.